James Barrett

James R. Barrett is a Professor Emeritus of History and African American Studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, specializing in labor history, immigration, race, and ethnicity in American history. Born in Chicago and educated at the University of Illinois at Chicago, he pioneered the "bottom up" approach to American history, examining the lives of everyday working people and their impact on larger historical trends. His notable works include "Work and Community in 'The Jungle': Chicago's Packing House Workers, 1884-1922" and "The Irish Way: Becoming American in the Multiethnic City."